One of the primary duties of an education officer is to supervise and execute a series of educational objectives throughout a number of school programs, public offices, and other community based facilities. There are a variety of positions for such officers including school systems, public, and museum officers. Many of the overall goals of each program are similar, but individualized services are based on the type of facility that is overseen.

An education officer in a school system usually designs course curricula and teaching techniques based on his or her educational research. Frequent conferences with school administrators, principals, and teachers are usually held by the educational officer to assess progress and advise on improvements. His or her main objective is to continuously enhance school procedures, training programs for faculty, and individualized student assistance. The officer reviews teacher evaluations, student performance levels, and curricula functionality to determine problem areas and rectify issues to ensure future program success.

Fire departments often employ a public education officer who organizes and presents fire safety plans, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid information, water safety, pedestrian safety, and other life safety skills to the local public. These public presentations are usually developed based on comprehensive information from various public service agencies in order to heighten awareness on different hazards, preventions, and procedures. The officer may also develop educational and training programs to exercise the received information. He or she usually works with local government agencies to formulate financial requirements for such programs and services.

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Museums often require an education officer to improve the learning experience for visitors and staff. One of the primary tasks is to develop activities and workshops that allow visitors or students to enhance his or her understanding of the various exhibits. The officer often develops grant proposals and organizes other funding sources for additional educational activities. He or she may devise advertisement strategies based on the variety of educational services that the museum has to offer in order to attract schools and other organizations.

There are many other occupations that seek the organization, informative presentation, and budgetary talents of an education officer. Depending on the position, the job may require a bachelor's degree, but some institutions, including school boards, require a master's degree. These requirements generally depend on the type of facility, local guidelines, and the individual organization's preferences. For instance, a public education officer working with the local fire departments may need certification in various safety courses, and a museum position may require a specialized degree in art, history, or education.

Discuss this Article

Ana1234Post 3

I wonder if the two types of education officer jobs are interchangeable. I think it would be quite fun to work for a museum for a while, and then take a job working for a school district, doing more intense, long term focused work.

I imagine the skill set is comparable, but it sounds like the education officers that work with schools have a specific kind of skill set and I'll bet that the ones working in the museums were promoted internally, rather than sourced from the education sector.

MrsPrammPost 2

@croydon - A lot of other jobs have education officers I think, even if it's a position that doesn't get much of a showing, depending on how actively the profession is trying to promote themselves (or other things) to children.

As it says in the article, museums have them and I'm sure other places like zoos do as well. Every time I'm at a place like that I see a school group coming through and they'd all have to be organized by the education officer.

I imagine that other organizations, like fast food restaurant chains, have them as well. That might be a bit cynical of me, but I am sure they have someone whose entire job is to promote their wares to children through "education".

croydonPost 1

At one point I was hoping to become an education officer for a fire station, since it seemed like a really cool job to me. You'd be working as a firefighter and you'd be able to go and be a hero to kids on your time off.

I have really good memories of the fire service from when I was in school. We got to go to the station and ride in the trucks, and see the hoses and they even set up their fake fire house so that we could see them perform a drill to put out a fire.

They did a few tricks for us with smoke and a bit of fire as well. I remember that day more clearly than almost any other from when I was in school. I think that must be one of the better education officer jobs.

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